Meet the new tech laws of 2026
- As of January 1st, 2026, new tech laws will take effect in various US states, including Colorado, California, and Washington.
- These laws cover a range of topics, including AI system transparency, social media regulations, and the right to repair electronics.
- A last-minute court ruling has delayed the implementation of Texas’ App Store-based age verification rule.
- Colorado residents will have access to crypto ATM refunds, while Washington state will allow wide-ranging electronics repairs.
- The new laws aim to regulate emerging technologies such as AI and social media, and provide consumers with more control over their personal data.
As usual, 2025 was a year of deep congressional dysfunction in the US. But state legislatures were passing laws that govern everything from AI to social media to the right to repair. Many of these laws, alongside rules passed in past years, take effect in 2026 – either right now or in the coming months.
As of January 1st, Americans should have the right to crypto ATM refunds in Colorado, wide-ranging electronics repairs in Colorado and Washington, and AI system transparency in California, among other things. But a last-minute court ruling offered a reprieve from one high-profile state law: Texas’ App Store-based age verification rule.
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Q. What was the state of congressional dysfunction in the US in 2025?
A. The US experienced deep congressional dysfunction in 2025.
Q. Which states passed laws governing AI, social media, and right to repair in 2025?
A. Many state legislatures passed laws governing these areas in 2025.
Q. What is one of the new tech laws that takes effect on January 1st, 2026?
A. Americans should have the right to crypto ATM refunds in Colorado as of January 1st, 2026.
Q. Which states will have wide-ranging electronics repairs starting in 2026?
A. Colorado and Washington will have wide-ranging electronics repairs starting in 2026.
Q. What is one of the new tech laws that takes effect in California in 2026?
A. AI system transparency will be required in California as of 2026.
Q. Was there a last-minute court ruling that offered a reprieve from a high-profile state law?
A. Yes, a last-minute court ruling offered a reprieve from Texas’ App Store-based age verification rule.
Q. What is the name of the state with an App Store-based age verification rule?
A. The App Store-based age verification rule is in place in Texas.
Q. Why was there a reprieve from the Texas law?
A. There was no specific reason mentioned for why the court ruling offered a reprieve from the Texas law.
Q. What can Americans expect to have the right to starting in 2026?
A. Americans should have the right to crypto ATM refunds, wide-ranging electronics repairs, and AI system transparency starting in 2026.
Q. How many states passed laws governing everything from AI to social media to the right to repair?
A. Many state legislatures passed laws governing these areas.